Quince Vraniska Denmark

Late-winter variety, originating from Yugoslavia. Approved for the North Caucasus region. Widespread in the plain and foothill fruit zones of Dagestan.

Medium-sized tree with a moderately dense crown; young trees have a narrow-pyramidal shape, while mature trees have a high-rounded crown. Fruit set occurs on one-year-old shoots (on current-year branches, fruiting spurs, and fruiting twigs).

Shoots are long, thick, dark brown. Leaves are large, with medium-mottled surface, entire margins, short thick petioles, and large lanceolate stipules.

Fruits are medium to large in size, average weight 185–270 g, pear-shaped or more commonly rounded-truncated, weakly ribbed. Fruit surface is smooth, skin color greenish-yellow, no bloom or waxy coating; fruits have a woolly pubescence. Peduncle is long and thick, calyx large and open, calyx tube medium-sized, usually funnel-shaped, seed chambers large and closed. Seeds are medium-sized, brown, with large central cavity.

Flesh is light-yellow, juicy, firm, slightly acidic-sweet, good flavor (3.7–4.0 points). Fruits contain: dry matter — 13.5%, sugars — 8.4%, acids — 0.94%, ascorbic acid — 20.0 mg/100g, pectin substances — 0.95%, tannins — 0.06%.

Late-winter variety; fruit harvest at the end of October to early November. Fruits are suitable for technical processing immediately after harvest, and for fresh consumption one month after harvest, fruit storage until March.

Fruit production begins on the 5th–6th year. Yield 200 centners per hectare, annual fruiting.

In Dagestan conditions, the variety is sufficiently winter-hardy, resistant to fungal diseases and pests, and fruits have good wind resistance. Variety propagated by budding.

Advantages of the variety: high yield, large fruit size, good taste, disease resistance, and good fruit wind resistance.

Disadvantages of the variety: somewhat demanding regarding cultivation conditions.

The Vraniska Denmark variety is an excellent source for developing new high-yielding, large-fruited late-winter pear varieties with good fruit flavor.